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The most important of all Chinese festivals occurs over 15 days and coincides with the new moon between January 21 and February 20 each year. The Lunar New Year is celebrated by over 1 billion people worldwide including one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in New York, Flushing, Queens. Chinese astrology designates 2019 as the Year of the Pig. Even with the frigid weather and stiff wind, the parade route along Main St. was filled with revelers looking to rub the dragons head for good luck.

Dancing Lions Getting Ready to Greet the Crowd

Koreans in Traditional Attire

Dancing Lions

As usual the mounted police signals the start of the parade soon followed by the NYPD marching band. Parade dignitaries and VIPs made their way to the reviewing stand near the Queens Public Library on Main St. A diverse group from the Asian community including Koreans, Taiwanese, Malaysians made their way down the parade route. The lead group this year were the Koreans with their traditional attire and marchers with cymbals and drums. One of the larger groups, World Journal, a Chinese media company, with their famous double dragons are always a fan favorite.

Falun Dafa Marching Band

Vessels of Love

Dragon Bringing Good Luck

The anchor of the parade, Falun Dafa, is always the largest group with marching bands and great costumes. Falun Dafa has been banned from China for it’s spiritual beliefs and willingness to seek the truth through reporting. A respected media group, Epoch Times, always has a large representation at the parade. Their aim is to report what China seeks to suppress. If I were writing about this event in China, it would have to be edited by the Central Government and may never be published. Our freedom should never be taken for granted. Once the parade is over, a firecracker festival takes place near an upscale mall, Queens Crossing. One of the best things about neighborhood parades is all the excellent dining choices available. A short walk to Prince St. is must do whenever you are in the area. Happy New Year!!